| For about ten minutes they do. Suddenly she says, “Have you ever cheated on your wife?” “What? Why would you say that?” “I’ve always wanted to ask you. I’m curious you know. But I never had the guts to ask you until now. That stuff loosens the inhibitions, you know.” “Well it’s a good thing that those inhibitions aren’t loosened.” She laughs. “That’s a yes.” “That’s none of your business.” “That’s even more of a yes.” She runs a finger along his arm. “That’s even more of a yes.” “And it’s even more none of your business.” He doesn’t move away from her. “But it’s still a yes. C’mon Mr. Hood, have a drink and lose your inhibitions, okay? Tell me all about it.” “I can’t tell you about something that never happened.” He sighs. “This is crazy. I shouldn’t even be here.” “So why are you?” “Because I didn’t want you to be alone on your birthday.” “Aww, that’s sweet Mr. Hood—” “Stop calling me Mr. Hood.” “Okay Terence. That is sweet though. I like that about you. And I’m sure you’re sweet to your wife, what does it matter if you cheated on her?” “Why do you keep bringing that up!” “It’s just a question. Art should teach you something about,” she starts to quote, and raises a wavering finger, “about ... something, whatever, I can’t remember. That’s what Mr. Andrews says. And I’ve seen this movie a million times and it hasn’t taught me anything. But I never cheated on nobody, so I thought I’d ask you, maybe you had, I don’t know.” |
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| She takes his hand and leads him into the TV room. They sit next to each other and watch the movie for a few minutes. It’s something recent that he hasn’t seen. Lots of planes flying over the desert and a bandaged man in a villa. “What is this?” “The English Patient.” “Oh yeah, I’ve heard of it.” “You know what it’s about?” “No.” She leans closer and whispers, “An affair.” “Really?” She pulls her legs under her body. “You hafta see it a few times to get it all but that’s what it’s about.” “That’s interesting.” “And it’s about the desert. You should watch it.” |